Devon Smith carved out a polished unbeaten century yesterday against a Rest Team in a practice match at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground.
The innings of 130, which included 17 fours and two sixes, was as cool as the overcast day and Smith featured in two half century partnerships with Darren Bravo, who made 61, and Ramnaresh Sarwan, who scored 20. Smith, put his hand up for selection for the Test series which begins on Thursday at the Guyana National Stadium by sharing in a valuable 43-run partnership with Carlton Baugh (17) and 48 with not out with Andre Russell (33) as their team reached 310-5 from 78 overs.
Pacer Paul Wintz was the pick of the Rest Team bowlers with 2-44 while WI fast bowler Fidel Edwards, Christopher Barnwell and Randy Lindore, bowling 24 overs of off-spin on the trot, chipped in with 1-32 (10), 1-56 (10) and 1-95 (24) respectively.
The West Indies batsmen, after Lendl Simmons was dismissed for 18 in the ninth over, made the rest team bowlers toil in cool conditions. The first of the partnerships was between Smith and Bravo, who put on an attractive 94-run second wicket stance.
Bravo was his usual elegant self, taking a liking to Barnwell with six fours through the cover and extra cover regions. Smith, on the other hand, was turning the strike over, while hitting the odd boundary.
Smith also must have counted his lucky stars when he was dropped on 26 off the bowling of Wintz, who bowled quickly and aggressively on a pitch that offered uneven bounce. Bravo, the younger brother of Dwayne Bravo, looked comfortable against all the bowlers before they went into lunch on 85-1; Bravo was on 42 while Smith was on 26.
After the luncheon period Bravo brought up his half century with a four to wide long of Lindore. However, shortly afterwards, Bravo was caught at midwicket by Kwame Crosse pulling a short, quick Wintz bouncer.
Sarwan joined Smith, who seemed set to record a big score, and both shared the spotlight with an array of strokes that met the boundary on several occasions. They would go on to carve out a half century partnership but not before Smith’s own 50 came 116 balls, 180 minutes and included eight fours and a six.
After scoring 68 runs together, Sarwan was caught behind by Bramble off the bowling of Wintz when the score was 174-3 in the 47th over. Smith maintained his composure and held the other end as Carlton Baugh was bowled for 17, attempting to sweep a delivery from Lindore.
Smith duly brought up his century with a push to midon off Brendon Nash after facing 171 balls, 252 minutes and stroking 14 fours and two sixes. He continued in the same vein after reaching the milestone while the other batsmen added their stamp to the proceedings in front of a small crowd.
Smith was joined by Russell and the pair took their team to close of play without any hassle.
Final day play today starts at 10:00 hours.
